Sunday, 17 February 2013

Thomas Azier - Angelene

Single review by kev@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk

It's difficult to totally disagree with German-based artist Thomas Azier when he says “Music has turned into nothing more than just a rush in the background while you are busy doing other things. I don’t want to change that, but I try to make something that will catch your ear and communicate with you.” Sadly this is the case for many people, but to a certain extent it always has been. To others of us it's much much more. This time last year Azier released his debut EP, with a second, 'Hylas 002' following in October, both on his own Hylas Records label. It's from the second release that this single is taken.

Interestingly, Azier has chosen to make music that catches your ear by embracing that most common of background sounds: ambient electronica. It works though, and from the subtle beats and light vocals spring a far more interesting piece, full of sci-fi sounds, bigger beats and empowered vocal cries; it's almost primitive and natural, tribal maybe, and some of this will be down to his use of instrumentation which is a break from the norm. Maybe the idea is to tap into a forgotten part of our human consciousness. It builds right to the end and our ears are certainly captured and delighted by the music he's made here. We can only hope it has the same effect on other people too.